Magazine for automatic firearms



Aug.14, 1945. G, WEBB' 2,382,926 MAGAZINE AUTOMATIC FIREARMS Q-riginal Filled March 22, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet l llin" um",

fig. 54

Zim/entar' G. WEBB MAGAZINE FOR AUTOMATIC FIRERMS l Aug. 14,1945.

original Filed March 22, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 14, 1945. G,- WEBB MAGAZINE FOR AUTOMATIC FIRERMS 7 sheets-sheet s original Fiied March 22, 1940 E1/ent or Eewre Webb tang/- 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 G. WEBB MAGAZINE FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS Original Filed March 22, 1940 Aug. Y14, 1945.

Aug. 14,' 1945. G. WEBB 2,382,926

'MAGAZINE` FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS` Original Filed March 22, 19,40 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Zin/s272501. 5553155 Webb Aug. M, .u G. WEBB 293592@ MAGAZINE Fon AUTOMATIC FIREARMS original Filed March 22, 1940 sheets-Sheet e tar' y ge Webb ttarngf MIIMLLTfMIHIII.; MS uo mLWmmn/n, I

n llllll W@ Aug. 14, 1945. G. WEBB v MAGAZINE FQR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS original Filed March 22, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Aug. 14, 1945 2,382,926 MAGAZINE FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS y i George Webb, Hartford, Conn., assignor'to Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, u lHartford, Conn.,a corporation of Connecticut vOriginal application March 22, 1940, Serial No. 325,405. Divided and this application April 6, 1942, Serial No. 437,850

l4. claims. (ci. ssi- 34) .The 4invention herein disclosed relates to a magazine for an automatic firearm and is a division of co-pending application, Serial No. 325,- 405, filed March' 22, 1940, for an Automatic llirearm. While not necessarily so limited, 'the invention is particularly applicable to an automatic firearm and/or feeder embodying some or all of the inventionsdisclosed in the followingprior patents and application for'patent.

J. M. Browning-1,525,065+February 3, 1925 J. M. Browning-4,692,328--November 20, 1928 C. 'Pfeiffer-1,692,2'17--November 20, 1928 F. T. Moore- Sen No. 305,240-November 20, 1939 The invention described herein relates to. a

magazine for holding an articulated-link cartridge feeder assembly in proper position to be fed to an automatic firearm ysuch as disclosed in detail in said co-pending application, Serial No. 325,405. The invention not only relates to the magazine per se but .also to the combination of the magazine and articulated-link feeder.

i In the preferred embodiment of the invention, th'e magazine is adapted to accommodate an articulated-link cartridge feeder assembly with the assembly disposedin coil fashion to conserve space and produce a compact magazine. Means are also provided in the magazine to guide the feeder adjacent the exit portion of the magazine. Still further means are provided to maintain the leading end of the feeder in predetermined relationship with `respect to the exit portion of the magazine. l f y --A furth'er feature of theinvention relates to a loading plate for facilitating the introduction of an articulated-link cartridge feeder assembly into the magazine. The loading plate, in its preferred embodiment, is detachably secured to the magazine and is removable therefrom prior to attaching the magazine to the rearm.

The invention relates further Yto various other details of construction and combinations of parts which will be more fully apparent upon considerving th'e following specification.

The rearm disclosed in said co-pending application, Serial No. 325,405, is so constructedthat it can use either a rigid or van articulated-link cartridge feeder assembly, .the use of one'o'rV the other depending upon the length of time sustained firing is desired. For short kbursts-of iire, a rigid feeder containing a small number of cartridges is sufficient. However, if a longer period of fire is desired, a magazine of the type c'ol'nprisling the instant invention is used in conjunction with an articulated-link cartridge feeder assemsmaller than Figs. 4 and 5.

bly containing a greater `number of cartridges than that contained. in a rigid feeder.

Wh'en using a rigid feeder, a loading tray is detachably secured to the firearm adjacentthe feed channel. When an articulated-link cartridge feeder assembly. isv used, the loading tray is removed and a magazine. containing the articulated-link. cartridge feeder assembly is detachably secured to lthe firearm .by means similar to those used to secure the loading tray. A

` In the accompanying drawings I have shown in detail one embodiment of th'e invention and also certain variations thereof which have been foundto be satisfactory. It will be understood, however, that Without Adeparting from the spirit of the inventionthere may be variousl changes in the construction and that the Ydrawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting th'e scope of .the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied .upon for that purpose. I i

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side View of an automatic firearm embodyingy part of they invention, the forward Aportions of the barrel and recuperator being broken away. y

Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe firearm with the forward portion thereof broken awayv "Fig, 3 is a rear View of the firearm.

Fig; 4 is a fragmentary plan View of the firearm showing the feed box Ywith the cover plate removed andthe magazine attached to the side of thefeedbox.

Fig. 5 is a yfragmentary side elevation of -a portion of the feed box showing the end of the feed channel anda feeder disposed in the feed channel in a position similar to that shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detailed plan View showing the feed slide, this view ybeing partly Ain section.

Fig. 7 ,is a plan view of an articulated-link feeder adapted to be used in the magazine. This viewis on a scale larger than that of Fig. 1 but Fig. 8 is a side view of the feeder shown'in Fig. 7-.

Fig. 9 is an end View of the feeder shown in Fig. 7. .y

Fig. l0 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line lil-.I 0 of Fig. 7.

Fig.. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional `view .taken along the line Il--II of Fig.."l.'

Fig. 12 is a 'theadjustment of the spring clip to accommodateacartridge.

view similar to Fig. 11 but showing' Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the normal flexing of the feeder to conform to the requirements of a magazine.

Fig. 14 'is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the possible reverse flexing of the feeder.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing an alternative feeder construction which may be used to provide end-to-end reversibility.

Fig. 16 is a plan view showing a magazine and a discharge chute' adapted to use the articulated-link feeder shown in Figs'. 7 through 15. In this view the firearm is indicated by dotand-dash lines.

Fig. 17 is a rear elevational lview of the maga.-

zine and discharge chute shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a View showing the. right side of the magazine as it appears when separated from magazine and through the feed channel.

the gun. Only the first cartridge and the front end of the feeder are shown in this view.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken. on the line ISI-I9 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken along the line 26-20 of Fig. 16.

Fig.r 21 is a plan view showing a loadingplate associated lwith the 'magazine and also showing the relative position of the articulated-link feeder at the beginning of loading.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the parts' shown in Fig. 2l.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary plan view, with a certain portion broken away, of a manually operable feed mechanism adapted to bey used in conjunction with the articulated-link feeder and the magazine shown in Figs. '7 to 22. This view is on the same scale as Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary rear View of the manually o-perable feed mechanism shown in Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in central longitudinal section, of the parts shown in Fig. 23. l

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 23 but showing the parts in different relative positions.

' Fig. 27 is another fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 23 but showing the parts in still different relative positions.

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line 28-28 of Fig. 23. This view shows the articulated-link feeder in the position which it first occupies prior tov being moved by the feed slide.

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 28 but showing the articulated-link feeder in .the position ing Patent 1,525,065 is among the more imp'ortant.

The gun is well adapted for use in airplanes, although its use is .not so limited.

In the drawings, particularly Figs. `,1 through 3, the gun is shown in its .horizontal position which may be regarded as normal However, the gun may be used at various angles of elevationl or depression, or even inverted or it .may be turned laterally. The terms horizontal and vertical as herein used are to be understood fasfrelative '.the gun, to enable one to understand the construction and functions of the magazine, loading tray, magazine loading plate and the operation ofthe portions of the gun which coact to actuate the feeder to move the same from the It is believed that a Adescription of any other parts of the gunwould be superfluous since a complete description of the operation of the gun per se is given in said co-pending application, Serial No.

325,405 to which attention is invited for a description of further details. v

The ypresent invention is mainly directed to a magazine A adapted to be detachably secured to the feed box of a gun, the magazine being arranged to` hold a plurality of cartridges or rounds of ammunition in a flexible feeder which is disposed in a spiral-like guideway in the magazine.

Guide means for the cartridges are provided in the magazine to yinsure correct positioning of the cartridges at the delivery end of the magazine whereby they will be properly fed to the feed channel and will be engaged by a feed-slide reciprocably mounted within the feed box for transverse movement with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the ,feed box. Thev feed'- slidexis reciprocated by mechanism disposedv within the feed box and the breech casing of the gun, said mechanism being the same as disclosed in said co-pending application, Serial No. 325,405, and to which attention is invited for details not described hereinafter. j

The. feed-slide which engages the feeder is so designed that ity will .move either a rigid or a flexible feeder through the feed channel of the .feed box vbut thisv invention is .mainly directed to a magazine adapted to accommodate a flexible feeder and therefore the main portion of the description of the feed-slide will deal with its actuationof a flexible feeder rather .thana rigid feeder.4

f Details of the' feeders, .both rigid and flexible, are not claimed herein since thesame form the subject matter of vanother application led on even date. vherewith .and also being .a divisional vapplic'ationof said 13o-pending application, Serial N o.4 325,405..

. In the drawings, and referring particularly to Figs. `1 through 3, the breech casi-ng l2 'ha-s a barrel or tube 4 projecting from the forward end thereof. A `feed box 6 .is mounted on the upper side of the breech casing. 'The .feed .box 16 ico-ntains members of the cartridge feeding mechanism and is provided with .a transverse channel la into which thel cartridges .and .the feed plate or feeder .carin/.ing the same may be fed from left to right.. Topermit access to the part-s .of the feed mechanism, the feed box i is provided with .a movable top cover |i2. The cover 'l2 is :preferably entirely removable and, as shown, it has `.projecting longitudinaltongues 12s, `12a at 4its .opposite l:edges-which t corresponding longitudinal grooves 5b., 6l in the side walls yof vthe' feed box, which 4grooves are shownA in Fig. f4. Openings at ft., 5

`permit the-cover to be moved 1,vertically y.downward tozbring thetongues into register withthe grooves. The 'coveris then movedrearward .to enter the tongues inthe grooves,` and a springlatch I3 on the cover serves to hold it in place. y

Detachably connected with the. feedbox 6 is a cartridge supporting. devicetwhich is v'shown in Fig\s.11 and.3 as being a shelf-like loadingtray I4. Aslwill be hereinafter made clear, a lmagazinel may be substitutedl for the loading tray. When the tray I4 is used itserves to support a rigid cartridge feeder assembly preparatory to its insertion into the feed channel 6 and into engagement With the feed mechanism. The tray 114 and the feed box Gare provided: respectively withv connection devices which serve to connect thenifbutwhich permit them to be readilydisconnected and separated. The connection devices may be varied as to details and asto relative arrangement Vof parts but, as shown. thetray I4 is provided with vertical walls I4! and I4D (Fig. .2) 'which yare normally immediately adjacent the 4outer face of a bracket I5 on the left wall of the feed box, and the said .walls are apertured .to receive two pairs "of studs I5, -I5 projecting `from the said bracket I5. lThe 'studs I5,. I5 are notched at their bottoms and the Atray I4 is provided with two spring-pressed latches I6, I6 (Fig. 3) each having two teeth IES, I6 adapted to enter the notches in the studs to hold the tray in place. The two teeth are mounted on a vertical rod |61 which .is pressed upward by the spring. The

43, 43 to provide clearance forthe heads. of the pivot pins and rivets 19 of y'the articulated-link feeder hereinafter described in more detail.

Two separate feed-sli-deguide members 44 and 45 (Fig. 4) extend transversely between the side walls ofthe feed box adjacent the openings 6h and 6i and near vthe top of thev box. Transversely movable in suitable grooves in the guide members is a feed slide 46.1 Referring particularlytoFig.` 6, it Will beobserved that the feed slide 46 has longitudinal tongues 46 and 46b for fitting the grooves in the guide members44 and .45.

Referring particularly to Figs. 6, 28 and. 29, it will be seen that the feed-slide 46 carries a feed tooth adapted tosuccessively engage the feeder assembly rto effect feeding, and preferably .there are two suchfteeth spaced apart inthe direction of slide reciprocation by a distance approximately equal to the distance between two cartridges; The two teeth will engage the feeder assembly at the same time and they have other important advantages which will be hereinafter explained.

When the feeder has feed slots such as 15, 14, 11

the teeth engagethese slots. The slide is so con. structed and positioned that at the vbeginning of each feeding movement as shown in Figs. 28 and latches I6, I6 are -provided with buttons. I1, I1

by means of which they can be pushedk down- Ward to permit disconnection and separationof box is normally closed at the top by the cover I2 which has already been described. Openings 6h and 6i are provided respectively in the side walls 6d and 6e of the feed box to provide an entrance At0 and an exit from the above-mentioned transverse feed channel 6. The opening 8h at the left side is of such sizeas to receive not only the feederbut also the cartridges, while the opening 61 at the right side need only be large enough to permit the exit of the feeder.

The feed channel 6 (Fig. l) is of such dimensions that it readily accommodates the feeder, either rigid or flexible, and permits the feeder to pass therethrough.' For supporting and guiding the feeder and the cartridges as they enter and pass throughthe feed channel, there are provided two parallel guide plates or members 43, 43 which are provided with flanges 43, 43 (Fig. `5) by which they are secured to the right-hand side vof the feed box 6. These feeder guide members are so positioned that themain body portion 18 of the exible feeder 14 with its parallel depending side flanges fits between them, thus enabling the guide structure 15a of the feeder to rest upon theplates as shown in Fig. 5. The feeder assembly is thus supported and accurately guided.

The guide members 43, 43 have downward facing cam surfaces 43b (Figs. 28 and 29) which engage the cartridges to force or strip them downward out of engagement with the clips 8U when the feeder assembly is moved to carry each successive cartridge to or near a central position in the gun.

.Preferably the guide members 43, 43 have grooves 29, the outer tooth 41b is considerably outside the feed box and the inner tooth 48b is inside the feed box. f f.

As shown, particularly in Fig. 6, the two feed teeth on the slide 46 are formed as parts oftwo separate pawls 41 and 48 pivotally connected with the feed slide. In the feed slidey 46 is a large central recessopen at the bottom-and partly closed at the top. Thepawl 41 is generallyl rec'- tang'ular in shape and is v'positioned inthe recess in the slide, being mounted on apivotr pin 41a. At the outer end of the pawl is a tooth 41lo adaptedto successively enter the slots 16, 15, 11 in the feeder. Depending from the top wall of the feed slide are two bosses 46, 46, these being within a large rectangular opening in the pawl 41. The second feed pawl 48 is pivotally connected at 48a with the bosses 46, 46, and atits inner end is a tooth 48b adapted to successively enter the. feed slots 16, 15, 11 of the feeder. It will be seen that the two pawls extend in opposite directions from their respective pivots and that they over; lap each other.l Separate springs 41 and 48 bias the respective pawls 41 and 48 to cause the teeth 411 and. 48b to enter the said feed slots 16, 15, 11.

A manually operable vmeans is provided for simultaneously withdrawing both of the. teeth 41b and 48b from engagement with the feed slots of the feeder in order to permit the feeder to be withdrawn from the feed channel in retrograde direction. Whenv there are two separate vfeed pawls they are moved simultaneously. As shown, the pawl 48 has two lateral projections '489, 48d which overlie projections 41d, 41d on the pawl .41. The pawl 41 has a tail portion 41e by means of which it may be moved to withdraw the tooth 41b from the feeder, and when it is so movedv the aforesaid projections move the pawl 48 to simultaneously withdraw the tooth 48h. A button 49 (Figs. 28 and 29) is carried on the slide 45, this button having a stem 49 which engages the tail portion 41e of the pawl 41. Manual pressure on the button 49 will move both-of the pawls 4.1 and 48 to withdraw theteeth `41b and 48b from the feeder. l

Carried by the feed slide 46 is an actuating block '56 having depending lugs 50e, 50, as shown in Fig. 4, which enter and t notches 46d, 46d (Fig. 6) in the slide.` A removable pin 5I)b in the block normally enters a hole in the slide to hold the block in place as shown in Figs. 4 and 29. During assembly, the slide is first put in place in the guides 44 and 45, and thereafter the block 50 is secured to the slide.v The block 50, when connected with the slide, serves to .hold the slide in place, the block engaging the side walls of the feed box to prevent removal of the slide. The block 50 provides a substantial body of metal for engagement by the feedlever 5l, to be described, and it has an open-sided notch S yfor receiving the lever. The above-mentioned button 49 for withdrawing the pawls lis preferably carried by the block 5U.

The block 5i) preferably has an upward extending pin 5i]d by means of which the block and slide can be moved independently of the breech mechanism as hereinafter explainedk in detail. When the pin 50d is provided the cover I2 has an opening to provide clearance forY the pin, there being an enclosing housing |2bover the opening.

For operating the feed slide in timed relationvship with the functioning of the firearm, mechanism is provided which mechanism is described and illustrated in said co-pending application, Serial No. 325,455. For purposes f the present invention, it is not believed that the present application need contain a repetition of the details of all of the operating mechanism since the. instant application deals primarily with the construction of the feeder and magazine. However, the essential elements of said operating mechanism which are more directly connected to the feed slide will be described but, for details not set forth herein, attention is directed to said co-pending application.

As shown in Fig. 4, a bell crank 53 is pivoted at 53a for movement-about a vertical axis, the said lever being carried by bracket 54 secured to the walls of the feed box. The arm53b of the lever 53 which extends toward the right of Vthe feed box is provided with a notch which receives a vertical cylindrical head 55 carried by a-stud 55a pivoted on the feed lever. The lower end of the feed lever is oscillated backward andjforward inthe breech-casing and feed box by a suitable stud provided on the barrel extension which reciprocates longitudinally of the breech casing during the firing of the gun.' Details of this mechanism will be found particularly in Figs. and 8 of said co-pending application.

The arm 53c of the bell crank lever 53 which extends forward is provided with a depending stud 56 which enters a slot at the rear end of connecting lever 5l. This lever 5l is movable about a vertical axis at 51a, being carried vby a rearward extension 45e of the transverse guide member 45. At the forward end of the lever 5'! is a partly cylindrical head 5'Ibwhich enters a partly cylindrical portion of the notch 55C in the block 5D on the feed slide 46.

The extension 45av on the guide 45 carries a spring-pressed plunger 58 which engages a lug 51C on the lever 5l. By means of this plunger the lever 5l and the slide 45 and all of the movable parts connected with themare biased to the relative positions shown in Fig. 4. It will thus be seen that as the bell crank lever 53 oscillates about its pivot, the connecting lever 5'! will be oscillated about its pivot to reciprocably move the feed slide 46 transversely of the longitudinal axis of the feed box to move the feeder within the feed channel. While the feed slide and associated parts are ordinarily returned by the biasing means 58, it should be -oloserved that, in any event, the connectingk le,- ver 51 would be returned to the position shown in Fig. 4 by theA operating mechanism which is positively actuated by the movement of the barrel extension referred to above.

A carrier 6U is shown in plan view in Figmi, the carrier being mounted for movement about a horizontal axis. The main body (il)b of the carrier is located centrally between the side walls of the feed box and it is normally above the foremost cartridge being fed into the gun. Mechanism shown in detail in said co-pending application, Serial No. 325,405, actuates said carrier to move the forward end thereof vertically and, when moved vertically downward, the main body 16,11* engages a cartridge which has just been stripped from the feeder by the cams 43b and positively moves the cartridge into a position to be charged into the breech of the barrel by a charger provided in the chamber of the breech casing for this purpose, details of which are also described in said co-pending application, Serial No. 325,405.

The firearm is provided with suitable firing mechanism which need not be described in detail as it is similar to that in Browning Patent 1,525,065. For present purposes, it is sufcient to point out that this mechanism includes a trigger lever 66 adapted to effect firing When moved rearward with respect to the lock frame. If the trigger is held in its rearward position, continuous firing occurs automatically and, if released, firing ceases. For details of the firing mechanism .attention is also directed to said co-pending application, `Serial No. 325,405 and. Browning Patent 1,525,065.

Prior to initial loading of the gun, the various parts of the gun (but not the feeder assembly) may -be assumed .to be in the relative positions shown in Fig. 4. When a. rigid feeder loaded with cartridges is to Ibe fired in the gun, the same is placed on the loading tray and then pushed manually into the feed channel while being guided by the guide members 43, 43. Where la flexible feeder is to be fed to the gun, a magazine", hereinafter described in detail, loaded with a flexible feeder containing cartridges, is secured to the side of the breech casing by the same means which secure the loading tray `I4 thereto. When .a magazine containing the flexible link loaded with cartridges is attached to the gun, a portion -of the end link of the flexible feeder projects slightly beyond the exit of the magazine and the pawl-engaging aperture 16C therein is adapted to be automatically engaged rby the outerpawl 47h of the feed slide when the magazine is attached andthe feed slide is in the position shown in Fig. 4.

Particularly when a rigid feeder is being loaded into the feed channel (ie of the gun, it is highly important that means Ibe provided for ypreventing the feeder from being advanced too far. gThe necessity for preventing the feeder lbeing advanced too far is due to the fact that when a rigid feeder is first introduced into the feed channel, it is pushed sufficiently far to have the forwardrnost cartridge engage the cams 43b to strip said cartridge from 4the feeder following which it will be disposed below the carrier 60k and through 'movement of suitable mechanism will be lowered into position to be ycharged into the breech of the barrel by the charger. It is imperative'that no other cantridge isl introduced into the breech chamber until after said first cartridge has been nred and theempty shell has -been extracted .from the breech and ejected from the chamber in In'accordance with the presentinventiona stop is provided which 'is normally operative to'llim'it.

the movement of the feeder assembly in the feeding direction, particularly the initial" manual movement thereof, andl` in association with'` the stop `there is provided means'forcautomatically moving the stop out ofits operative positionlupon feeding movement of the slide-so as to permitthe slide to move the feeder'y assembly. Preferably the stop engages directly withth'e rigid or fleX- ible feederitself; although this may not-.be essential..*r V f -f'a As shownparticularly'in Fig. 4, the feeder-stop is'a paWl 12 which is pivotallymountedat12a on the guide-member dlbthis pawl having a tooth I2b which is` adapted'to engage the feeder.v The pawl12 is so' positioned thatits bottom faceis immediatelyladjacen't the top` face Vof the front guide member'43f.- 'The pawl oarresr'a springpressed plunger' 'I2c whichbiases it in the feederengaging directionA When lthe feeder is first advanced throughV the feed channel, thepavvl '12 isI moved out `'of' the way lof'the'feeder by the n bevel 46e on theA feed kslide and the tooth '12b enters the first notch 16h on the flexible feeder to positively prevent the operator from moving the feeder beyond the position shown in Fig, l#when attachingA the magazine to'the gun'. `lSTorrnal'ly this precaution does not have to be takenl i the case of a flexible*feederinasmuch asthe endv of the feeder, when beingy loaded into the gunjr'arely projects'lbeyond andthe magazine exitn'o farl therv than the position shown `in`1iig`s.`l 6v and 17. Should a greater amount of the feedery project beyond the eXitof 'the magazine however," the gun may not be jammed upon introducing Ithe feeder into the feed channel when-attaching the magazine tothe gundlie to stop 'll-Zifwhich functions in the-manner'gjust described. The tooth 12b will engage the notchlbfwhen the feeder has been advanced to thepositionfshown in dotted lines vin FigQZS It will be particularlyV observedl that' the feeder,

when engaged by thestop 'l2 as shown' inFig. 4,

` is so` positioned thatthe secondfeedjnotc'h"v 15C will be engaged l,by the inner feed pavvl '48 -upon the rstfeeding movementof theslide'. I f' y.

The'mecl'ianism for'fmoving the stop 72"-from the'notches;15b, 1Gb comprises an upstandin'g lug 'l2d formed on the'l pawl .vwhich'lug'isadapted to beengaged by the bevel '46e on'the feed'vslide` when the feedy slide is moved, in 'the feeding direction; The parts are so related that the stop or pawll'fl is cammed. forward by the rbevel 46e 'before lthe feed slide has moved, far' enougll for'thepawls 41 and 48 theron to lengage theslots 15, 16C of the feeder. v, 1 From the position shown iny Fig. 4, ytheI feed slide, after engaging the feeder,` movelsithe 'feeder toward `the right-hand or exit endof the feed channel a suflicientfdistance to. release'then'e'xt cartridge. Upon reaching this position', 'thefeed slide is returned by connecting lever'5'l` tothe positiontshown `in Figi-.4. On .the return move-v ment, the feed pawlsare. brought back-to, their properpositions for engaging th-ev next* following feed slots kof thefeeder. .'1he feed l*slide goes through. a distance slightly greater than `the spacingwbetween adjacentfeed slots, :this overtravelV serving to insure proper engagement of the feed paWls with the feed slots even under the most adverse conditions. Without special provision for preventing it, the feeder'might be advanced farther than desired byothefeedingmovement of the'feedslide by reason, for instance, ofthe inertia vof `the rapidly moving feeder and cartridges? vIn order to "prevent any substantial or harmful over-travel ofthe feeder,'following an automatic feeding movement, the tongue 46@ of the feed slideyll is recessed at llffso'as Ito permit the' stop 'l2v toenter the next following notch 15b. It will thus be seen that i provisions are madefor not onlylimiting the initial feeding movement of the.feeder.=but' also for 'limiting each successive i automaticA v.feeding movementthereof. :1i-ff :I i A Also mounted on the guide -member Misa second pawl-'or retainer 13 somewhaty similar to the pawl or stop 12. This pawl lis pivotedjatf'lB and it has'a tooth 'I3b adapted-to enter the ksuc-:- ces'sive notches 15b. A-spring-pressed `plunger 13- servesvto bias the pawl inthe direction to engage the feeder. The-tooth'-13b is beveledso as not to interfere with, advance movement-of the feeder but the tooth.y is a'daptedqto enter one or another of the notchesxTEb, 11b, to rprevent any substantial retrograde' movement of the feeder; Such retrograde movement might occur by reason of-'some accidentalI engagement of the-feed slide Whilemoving in vretrograde direction y with-,the feeder or by reason of an attempt bythe operatorito withdraw the magazine and feeder after enteringv it inthe feed channel. ,Y As the result of the4 provision ofthe stop andthe retainer, the feederisheld in -such position'that feeding will necessarily occur uponv the neXt-feeding-movement ofthe feed slide.y n y i f g Some retrograde: movement of the 'feeder is .possible when the feeder is advanced to the extremezposition shown in-Fig. 4, but not enought of such movement tointerfere withk normal feeding. With the feeder in the position to-which it is normally moved by the'fee'd slide at the end' of the feeding movement, only avery little retrogradev movement is possible.y The kstop-'and 'the retainer are spaced apart by a distance substantiallygreater than 'the normal feeding distance so that the lretainer may be effective withlthe feeder in'eitheruof the tvvo positions referred to. r The two pawls l2 and 13 are provided respectively with upstanding pins 12'e and-13d by means of which theJpawls can bei4 withdrawn manually. If'it is fdesired `to remove the feedervtowardthe left prior toiring of all'of the cartridges, this can be done by` firstv moving the retainer pawl' 13 'forward by means ofthe pin 'I3d and by lifting the pawlsj 41and48 by `means of the button 49. If an lincompletely lfilled feeder should be used, that is a feeder' with the last one or more clips empty, itm'ight-be desirable to manually remove the feeder'in` the forward direction, that' is," towardlthe right. `This could be donebyfirst pressing'the 'stop pawl 12 vforward bym'eans of the pin 12e, or-it could be done by Irianually` advancing the feed slide far enough to 'withdraw the v',Ine'flexiblel articulated-link feeder shown in Figs? through15 is designated in its entirety by 14. It comprises a number of intermediate links 15, a leading link 16` and atrailing link 11. Each of the links has a body portion 18 which is formed of sheet metal and bent to the shape of 2in-i11- verted U as shown in Fig. 9.r This isof the same size and shape as the mainv body portion ofy a rigid feeder. The depending side flanges of each body portion 18 are provided with notches or recesses 18a for receiving a cartridge, each Vof the side flanges being thus provided with two spaced legs 18b and 18C. Two of the legs, as for instance the two legs 181, are offset so as to fit between the adjacent legs 18C of the next adjacent link. The

legs that thus overlap arel joined by pivot pins or rivets 19, 19. The several connected body portions 18, 18 constitute the main body portion of the articulated-link feeder. Each of the links also has a spring clip 80 for holding a cartridge, this clip being similar to the spring clips provided on rigid feeders described'in said co-pending application Serial No. 325,405.

As illustrated in Fig. 18 particularly, each'cartridge has an annular groove 8l)a provided inthe projectile portionthereof. Each spring clip 80 is generally U-shaped as shown in Figs. 11 and 12 particularly and each leg of the U-shaped clip is provided with a slot 'or bifurcation Bb to form a pair of resilient ngers on each leg of the spring clip. Each of said spring fingers is provided adjacent its outer end and near one edge with a struck-in portion or detent 80. When a cartridge is placed in the notches or recesses 18a' of the feeder, as shown in Fig. 18, the spring clip 80 engages the cartridge in such a way that a pair of 'oppositely' disposed detents 8l!c engage in the'annular groove 8H'L of the cartridge to not only releasably hold the cartridge within the feeder but'also prevent movement of the cartridge with respect to the feeder ina direction substantially longitudinal of the cartridge. Since the detents 88c are all mounted on separate resilient fingers and are thus independently movable, the other pair of opposed detents 80C" not engaged in the groove 80l will positively engage the outer surface of the cartridge in a manner similar to that illustrated in Fig. l2 and thus positive contact is afforded between the cartridge and all of the resilient fingers provided on each spring clip 80.

The detents 8l)r1 whi-ch may also be termed cartridge `positioning means are so placed on the spring clip 88 that the cartridge may be reversed end-for-end in the feeder and onepair of oppositely disposed detents 811 will always be in proper position to engage the annular groove 80a of the cartridges to correctly hold each cartridge with respect to the feeder for reception in the feed channel of the feed box.

The particular'form of spring clip formed with bifurcations 8l)b may also be used in a feeder where, as in the case of the rigid feeders shown in said co-pending application, Serial No. 325,405, the edge of one of the notches 1-8a engages the annular groove 8i)a of each cartridge to restrain the cartridge against movement longitudinally thereofwhen held in the feeder. In the latter instance, the spring clip 80 merely holds the cartridge against movement in a direction transverse of the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. In such instance, however, if the spring clip 80 is formed with, bifurcations 80b as shown in Figs. 5, 9, 10, and 18, the provision of the detents 851C will insure a plurality of contacts between each end of the U-shaped spring clip and the-cartridge and thus provide' more positive frictional engagement bersimilar plate 11a for the'trailing link 11.

tween the spring clip and the cartridge than* in the case where a non-bifurcated spring is 'used and in which there is a possibility that only one point of contact may exist between each end of the spring and the outer cartridge surface.

Riveted or otherwise secured to the top of each U-shaped member 18 of each intermediate link 15 is a ilat plate 15SL which has the same crosssectional size and shapefas the top plate of a rigid feeder. provided for the leading link 16 and a somewhat The several separate plates 15a, 16B and 11#3L are in alignment when the articulated-link feeder is straight and they constitute the top plate or guide structure of the feeder. The top plate 16*I of the leading link differs in that it is considerably longer to facilitate the entry ofthe'feeder into the feed channel of the gun as will be more apparent from the description which follows. Preferably the top plate 15a carries a legend giving instructions as to the relative positioning of the cartridges. The :top plates 15a and 1lia are notched at one side at 15b, 1Gb, the notches being similar to the notches on the side of a rigid feeder and being similarly spaced.' The top plate 11a of the trailinglink has a notch 11b which is open at the outer end.r Each of the top plates 15H, 16@- and 11a together with the corresponding body portions 1B, are transversely slotted at 15, 16 and 11, the spacing between the slots being the same as the spacing between the slots of a rigid feeder.

The several plates 15a, 16aand 11a are closely adjacent when the feeder is straight. The axes of the cartridges are at least as close to the plates as are the axes of the pivotal connections at 19, 19, and preferably the pivotal axes of the cartridges are closer tol the plates than are the pivotal axes. This causes the cartridges, and incidentally the plates also, toseparate when the feeder is normally flexed, as shown in Fig. 28, in order to accommodate itself to the magazine in which it may be entered. It will be obvious that if the relationship of the axes were reversed the cartridges would be` brought closer together upon flexing, and this would necessitate anunnecessarily large spacing between the cartridges when the feeder is straight.

Preferably the plates, although closely adjacent, have narrow spaces between them which permit the feederto flex to a small extent in the reverse direction as shown in Fig. 14. This reverse flexing is of assistance to the operator in loading the magazine, and it avoids any likelihood of injury to the feeder as the result of careless handling. A

The articulated-link feeder as shown in Figs. 7 through 14 is not reversible, it being necessary to load the cartridges in a predetermined relation to the feeder in order that the feeder may properly function with the magazine and the gun. I may, however, provide a reversible articulated-link feeder as indicated by 8l in Fig. l5.

' This feeder is similar to the feeder 14, the intermediate links 82 being exactly .like the links 15 except that the top plates 82e have notches 82h at both sides. Either one of the end links 83 may be the leading link or the trailing link. The top plate 83e. of each link 83 is of the same length as the top plate 16EL of the feeder 14, and it is provided atone side with a notch 83b like the notch 16v"l and is provided at the other side with a notch 83c like a notch 11b. The feeder 8| may be used with either end foremost.

A somewhat similar plate16a is` "The articulated-link feeder assembly is placed in al suitable magazine such as that which will now bedescribed, the magazine holding it in a coiled position. l

Figs. 17 through 20 show a cartridge-supporting device in the form of a magazine adapted to carry an articulated-link feeder. The magazine comprises two main front and rear plates 84 and 85 which are spaced apart and which are connected by longitudinal tie members 86, 81, 88 and 89.

The two plates are also connected atk the top by a horizontal flat plate 99 which is seated at its ends in slots in the plates. The

.front'and rear plates 84 and 85 are provided respectively with brackets 842 and 85a which have vertical portions adapted to engage. the outer face of the bracket l5 on the feed box. The brackets |34a and 85a have flat walls which are apertured to receive the same studs l'a, |5i which are used to hold the loading tray which has already -been described. Carried by the brackets 84a and 85a are spring-pressed latches 9|, 9|, the same in construction as the springpressed latches |6, |6 o-f the loading tray. These latches are controlled by means of buttons 92, 92 which correspond to the buttons I1, Il of the loading tray. It will be clear that the magazine can be put in place on the gun in the same position as the loading tray, the same studs |51, I5a being utilized for holding it. Preferably the plates 84 and 85 are provided with lugs 84b and 85D which project toward the right to engage the casing of the gun and thus more rigidly support the magazine.

The rear face of the plate 94 and the front face of the plate 85 are respectively provided with helicoidal grooves 84b and 859 which are of the same shape and in longitudinal register with each other, these grooves being adapted to receive respectively lthe points and the heads of cartridges mounted in an articulated-link feeder such as the feeder 'I4 or 3| already described. In the particular magazine shown, the grooves in the plates are of sufficient length to accommodate cartridges but it will be understood that the invention is not in any way limited to the particular number of cartridges shown.

Secured to the plate 99, at the botto'mthereof, is a gui-de member 99a having a T-slot 99b therein to form a pair of channels adapted to receive and guide the plates 7721, 'I5EL and '|6a constituting the g-uide structure of the feeder. The guide member 9|)a projects at the right beyond the edge of the lplate 99, as clearly shown in Figs. 16 and 17, and the slot SUP is open at the top in this right hand projecting portion of the guide member. A s isA also shown in said figures, the left end of the slot 9|]b is preferably ared b-oth in plan and vertical elevational lviews to facilitate the entry of plates 11a, '|5a and Hia in said slots from the magazine. With the magazine in place, the guide means 9|)a in the magazine-and the guide means 43, 43 in the feed channel are in register with each other.

For carrying the magazine when it is separated from the gun, there is provided a handle 93 having pintles at its ends which are seated in bearing apertures in the plates 84 and 85. When the magazine is in place on the gun, the handle may be in the position shown by the fulll ines inFigs. 16 and 17, but when the handle is to be used for carrying the magazine it is swung upward to the position shown in dot-and-dashl lines in Fig.- 17. For convenience in loadingthe magazine, there is preferably provided a ma-gazine loading plate 94 which is shown in Figs. 2'1 and 22. I'he plate 94 "has upstanding end portions 94e, 948L which carry pins`94b, 94b which are similar to the pins |5a, |5a of the gun. This enables the loading plate 94 to be attached to the magazine and tobe held 4by the same latches 9|,l 9| which normally serve to'hold the magazine on the gun. The bottom of the loading plate 94 is so positioned that the loaded feeder is supported in exactly the proper position to enable the top plates of the feeder to readily enter the T-slot 99h in the guide member a of the magazine. In order to conveniently` start thezloading operation, the top plateV of the vtrailing link of the feeder is placed in the vopen portion of the slot- 90b as shown `in Fig. 21. The entire articulated-link feeder assembly is thenpushed into the magazine, assuming Va coiled position determined by the helicoidal grooves in the plates 84 and 85.

In order that the cartridges and the feeder may be'accurately positioned in the magazine, there are provided two movable fingers 95 and 96 which arerigidly connected with a' longitudinal pivot pinv 91 seated at itsvends in bearing apertures in the plates 84 andI 85. The free endsl of the fingers 95 and 95'project through suitable apertures 95a and 96a provided in the plate 99, Fig. 16. Springs 98, 98 serve tobias the pivot pin and the fingers for-movement in the clockwise direction soas to tend to hold their end portions between vthe iirst'two cartridges-as shown in Fig. 17. This serves to accurately position the entire feeder assembly, that is the V`feeder and the cartridges, with the foremost engageable portion thereof in predetermined relationship with the magazine.

With the construction shown the foremost engageable portionrof the feeder `assembly is the foremostfeed slot, that is the slot 16C in the leading'link. This denite'p'o-sitioning ofthe feeder assembly is important for reasons*` which will presently appear.

The fingers 95 and 96 would interfere with the loading of the magazine if allowed vto remain in theirnormal positions.y Inorder that the ngers 95 'and 9B may be conveniently withdrawn to per-4 mit loading-one of the fingers,y as for instance 95, is provided with altail portion 95b which -is adapted to bev engaged by a pin 93"ab on the handle 93. By movir'igv the handle toward the right to the position shown by full lines in Figs. 21 andV 22, the

pin 93a isbrought into engagement with the tail portion 95b of the finger so asto elevate both the fingers to the position shown by full lines in Fig. 22. This makes it possible'for the entire feeder, withthe `'cartridges therein, to be pushed into the magazine *without any interference by the fingers 95 and 96. As soon as the feeder land the cartridges are in place, thel handle is released and the fingers then move to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 22 and also shown in Fig. 17 so as to accurately position the cartridges and theffeeder. The ngers 95 and`96 do not prevent withdrawal of the feeder and the cartridges from the magazine, but they do resist such withdrawal and they thus prevent any accidental` movement of the feeder and cartridges out of the magazine during such handling as may be necessary prior to the placement of the magazine on the gun.

When a magazine and an articulated-link feeder are used, it is necessary or-at least desirable, to provide a chute at the right side of the gun for receiving and guiding the empty portion of the feeder. A suitable chute for this purpose is shown at 99 in'Figs. 16 and 17. For-holding the' chute in place the right side of the. feed box is provided with brackets |00, |y which are apertured to receive pins |00a adapted to extend through suitable holes in platesv- 99a of the chu-te.

With an articulated-link feeder such as 14, mounted in a magazine secured tothe side. of the gun, there is no provision for engaging the feeder and the cartridges manually to advance them into the gun as is the practice with a rigid feeder. The forward end of the articulated-link feeder is inv a position similar to that shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7, and the larticulated-link feeder is advanced bya feeding action which is similar to that already described for the rigid feeder. However, there is no cartridge feeder assembly in the feed channel to cause the feed mechanism to operate "automatically and I therefore provide a Aspecial device for manually operating the feed slide independently of the breech mechanism of the gun to effect the initial advance of the feeder.

In Figs. 23 to 27 of the drawings, I have shown a suitable device for manually operating the vfeed slide independently of the breechmechanism. The barrel extension is in its forward position, and the slide itself and the levers 53 and 51 which normally operate it are entirelyv free to be moved manually.

The means for moving the feed slide manually may be Widely varied as to location and as to construction, butthe means shown is mounted onv a special cover |0| adapted to be substituted for the before-described cover l2. The special cover |0| has tongues lla, |0|a corresponding to the tongues |222 |2a for fitting the grooves 6b', 6b in the side walls ofthe feed box. The cover |0| isv held in place by spring latches |02, |02.

The cover.|0| has an opening |0|b therein through which projects the before-mentioned pin 50d which is on the block 50 secured to the feed slide 46. Mounted on the cover |0I above'the opening I0 Ib is a slide |03 longitudinally movablein guides |04', |04. Secured to the slide |03 and projecting upward therefrom is a handle |05 by means of which the slide may be manually movable. A coil compression spring |06y is interposed between a bracket |01 at the rear of the cover |0| and a bracket |08 on the slide |03.. This spring is guided by a` rod |09 which is secured to the bracket |01 and which has slidable engagement with the bracket 08. The rod |09 has a nut |09a at its forward end which together with a washer constitutes a stop to limit forward movement of the slide. The spring is enclosed in a tube I0 which is secured to the bracket |01 and which is slotted at the bottom to provide clearance for the lower portion of the bracket |08.

The slide E03 has a raised portion |03a which serves as a housing for a cam adapted to engage the pin 50d. The Cam has a portion |||a rigidly secured. to the slide and preferably also a portion Elib which is pivoted to the slide at HIC. A spring-pressed plunger |||ci tends to hold the cam portion |b in the relative position shown in Fig. 23.

When the slide m3 is manually moved rearward by means of the handle |05, the cam engages the pin 50d to move the feed slide toward the right, that is in the feeding direction. Fig. 26 shows the slide |03 moved rearward and it will be clear that continued rearward movement of the slide beyond the position shown in Fig. 26 will cause the cam to release the pin. The pin and the slide them automatically move, as indicated by the arrows, back to the normal position at the left. When the handle |05 is released the sl-ide |03 is returned in the forward direction by the spring and the pin 50d then pushes the portion |||d of the cam toward the right to provide clearance. This construction makes it possible for the feed slide to instantly return to its normal position, without waiting for the return or forward movement of the, slide |03. Itvvill be seen that a single movement of the slide |03 rearward and again forward causes one complete feed-ing movement of the feed slide.

Fig. 28 is a view showing the magazine and discharge chute in place on the gun. The pins Ms,v |5 (Figs. 4 and 23) on the feed box guide the magazine so that it moves horizontally into its final position. In so moving, the top plate 16e of the leading link is entered in the space above the guide members 653,233. The exact relative positioning of the feeder assembly as shown in Fig. 28 is insured by the engagement of the fingers 95 and 96 with the cartridges as already explained. With the feeder assembly in this position, the tooth on the feed pawl 41 is. outsideof the feed box and is entered in the foremost feed slot of the feeder, that is the slot 1|5e in the leading link 16. Then by manipulating the slide |03 twice in the manner already described, the feeder can be advanced to the position shown by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 28v thus effecting the loading of the first cartridge. It will be ob served that the grooves 43C, 43C in the guide plates 43, 43 provide clearance for the heads of the rivets 191, 19 of the feeder.

With the rst cartridge loaded as described, the operation of the gun takes place as beforedescribed, when the trigger 68 is pulled. The fingers 95 and 96 of the magazine are cammed out of the way by the cartridges and do not interfere with the feeding action. The forward end portion of the feeder passes into the chute 99 and is guided downward as shown in Fig. 29.

It will be understood that during the operation of the gun the pawls 12 and 13 function with the articulated-linkv feeder in the same manner that they function with the rigid feeder.

The only essential difference is that the articuv lated-link feeder does not have a bevel corresponding to the bevel 42h on the rigid feeder 42 shown and described in Serial No. 325,405. This is unnecessary for the reason that the articulated-link feeder is advanced only by the action of the feed slide, and when the feeder is so advanced the feed slide itself moves the pawl 12 out of the way, no bevel on the feeder being necessary. The cam 46a on the feed slide is of suicient length to hold the stop pawl 12 out of engagement with the feeder at each movement thereof, until the joint between thetop plates has moved beyond the pawl. This avoids any possibility of entry of the tooth 12b of the pawl into the joint space, with resultant breaking or jamming.

It will be observed that the inner pawl 48 on the feed slide is not needed, and in fact is not used, for starting the feeding movement of the articulated-link feeder as shown in Fig. 28. After the first feeding step, the two pawls act sim-ub taneously, but at the time of the feeding of the last cartridge the feeder has passed beyond the range. of action of the pawl 41 as shown in Fig. 29. The feeding of the last cartridge is effected solely by the pawl 48. Thus both pawls are necessary, one for starting the feeding and the other for completing it.

Upon the feedingA of the last cartridge, the stop pawl 12. will be entered in the open ended notch 11b of the feeder, the feeder then being free to be Withdrawn from the gun. Final withdrawal `movement for said feeder assembly within said magazine, means adjacent the exit of the magazine constructed and arranged to normally engage a feeder assembly and position it with its leading end in a predetermined relation to the exit of the magazine and to prevent retrograde f movement of said feeder assembly, a handle movably secured to the magazine for carrying the same, and means carried by said handle and movable thereby into engagement with said positioning means to move the same out of engagement with the feeder assembly, whereby movement of said feeder assembly in retrograde direction into the magazine may be effected. as when the magazine is being loaded.

2. An automatic firearm magazine for use with an articulated-link cartridge feeder assembly, the

said magazine having an exit and comprising in combination front and rear plates respectively -provided in their rear and front faces with similarly shaped helicoidal grooves adapted respectively to receive and guide the front and rear ends of the cartridges, means adjacent the exit of the magazine for normally engaging the feeder assembly to position it with its leading end in a predetermined relation to the magazine and to prevent retrograde movement of said feeder assembly, a movable handle for carrying the magazine, and means carried by said handle and movable thereby into engagement with said positioning means to move the same out of engagement with the feeder assembly, whereby movement of said feeder assembly in retrograde direction into the magazine may be effected as when the magazine is being loaded.

3. An automatic rearm magazine for use with an articulated-link cartridge feeder assembly, the said magazine having an exit and comprising in combination front and rear plates respectively provided in their rear and front faces with similarly shaped helicoidal grooves adapted respectively to receive and guide the front and rear ends of the cartridges, a pivot pin extending transversely between the front and rear plates, two movable fingers connected with the pivot pin and having portions disposed adjacent the exit of the magazine, said fingers being disposed respectively at the front and rear of the feeder guiding means and said portions thereof being adapted to normally engage certain cartridges to position the feeder assembly with its leading end in a predetermined relation to the exit of the magazine, means for biasing the pivot pin and the fingers in the direction to engage the fingers with the cartridges, a handle pivotally connected with the front and rear plates, and means on the magazine operable by movement of the handle out of its carrying position for moving the pivot pin and the fingers against their bias out of cartridge engaging position, whereby movement of said feeder assembly in retrograde direction into the magazine may be effected as when the magazine is being loaded.

4. A magazine adapted to be attached to an automatic firearm having a feed channel and reciprocable feed slide, said magazine having a feeder assembly exit and comprising in combination means adaptedto slidably receive and hold a cartridge feeder assembly comprising a exible feeder detachably holding cartridges, a carrying handle movably mounted on the magazine, means carried by the magazine adjacent its exit for normally engaging the feeder assembly to preventA retrograde movement thereof into the magazine and maintain the leading end thereof in a predetermined position for reception in said feed channel of the firearm when the magazine is attached thereto whereby said leading end of the feeder assembly may be engaged by the feed slide of the firearm and moved thereby in feeding direction into said feed channel, and' means carried by said handle and movable thereby into engagement with said first-mentioned means to remove the same from engagement with said feeder assembly, whereby retrograde movement of the feeder assembly into the magazine may be effected as when the magazine is being loaded.

GEORGE WEBB. 

